3 ways to fight winter blues

February is that month where winter white can turn to blue. Maybe it's january for you? Or march that brings a bit of madness, realizing that you may have to wait all the way until may for some milder weather (if you live in the midwest, like me). Each year i'm trying to find new tricks to treat myself with when the blues bust down my door and beg me to pull the covers over my head.

3 ways to fight winter blues

Scent: I've been caught of guard by how much scent has sent me to a different place in recent days. although, it is sometimes so short lived it's been like an instant injection of happy. A buried memory making it way to the surface and warming my cold bones. When the morning coffee is made, taking in a deep breath and suddenly I can almost feel the embrace of my coffee loving grandma. Scent can also be a treat, like a tropical candle that tells of warmer days, a hot bath with scented salts, and essential oils diffusing (this one is my current fave) while doing yoga. I don't know if it is that i'm breathing a little deeper or the actual smells, but it's working for me. I'm taking it in and taking notice of how it makes me feel, and where, what, or who it makes me remember.

Get out: Maybe this is stating the obvious, but that is the last thing i want to do when it's winter and i'm feeling the blues or just cold. I prefer to get under my blankets and just befriend books. This year, i've spent more time connecting with friends and getting out. To get out, it's meant reaching out and being out of my comfort zone at times, but it has been worth it.

Give in: The blues are their baddest when you feel totally stuck and sometimes you literally are. With winter comes long bouts of no school, sick kids, messier spaces, and scenarios that seem to stay the same. Slowly, i'm learning that when i fight these things that feel frustrating, and i can't really change, it's a losing battle. Things are better if i just give in and go with it. Go with the messy house. Go with the 10th snow day. Watch a movie. Forget the blog post. Make popcorn. Do what has to be done and let the rest be. Try again for normal schedules and getting things done, tomorrow. And, if tomorrow is a repeat of today then maybe the day after will be the day you quit the couch, can the kleenex and crush your last candy (candy crush has been my winter vice).